Phlox plant named ‘Pina Colada’

ABSTRACT

A new  phlox  plant particularly distinguished by having pure white flowers, compact plant habit, healthy foliage and good mildew resistance, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Phlox paniculata.

Variety denomination: ‘Pina Colada’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of phlox,botanically known as Phlox paniculata, and hereinafter referred to bythe cultivar name ‘Pina Colada’. The new cultivar originated from anopen pollination in 2005 in Haarlem, The Netherlands between unknownmale and female Phlox paniculata plants.

The new cultivar was selected from the results of the open pollinationin 2006 in Haarlem, The Netherlands and has been asexually reproducedthrough two generations by vegetative cuttings in Haarlem, TheNetherlands since that time. The present invention has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

-   -   1. Pure white flower color;    -   2. Compact habit;    -   3. Healthy foliage; and    -   4. Good mildew resistance.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPHS

-   This new phlox plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs    which show blooms and foliage of the plant in full color, the colors    shown being as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional    photographic procedures. The photographs are of a 1 year-old plant    grown in a greenhouse in Haarlem, The Netherlands.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds andfoliage.

FIG. 2 shows a mature flower.

FIG. 3 shows a mature leaf of the plant.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘Pina Colada’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inHaarlem, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken in August on 1year old plants which were planted and grown outdoors in daytimetemperatures between 14° and 32° C. and nighttime temperatures between5° C. and 15° C. No pinchings, growth retardants or photoperiodictreatments were used. Observations were made when the plants were innatural outdoor light. Color reference are primarily to the R.H.S.Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.)(2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Polemoniaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phlox paniculata.        -   Common name.—Phlox.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Unknown.        -   Male parent.—Unknown.-   Growth:    -   -   Form.—Herbaceous perennial.        -   Habit.—Upright, moderate to low vigor.        -   Shape.—Inverted triangle.        -   Height (measured from the top of the soil).—33.6 cm.        -   Diameter.—22.9 cm.        -   Growth rate.—10.0 cm per month.        -   Flowering response.—9 months.        -   Time to produce a finished flowering plant.—25 weeks from            rooted cutting for a 1.5 liter container.        -   High temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to at least 35° C.        -   Lower temperature tolerance.—Hardy to at least USDA Zone 4.        -   Root.—White, thin, fibrous, sparse, freely branching.-   Branches:    -   -   Habit.—Moderate; basal branching.        -   Number of branches.—4 flowering stems (the plants have been            pinched once at 6.5 cm above soil level).-   Stems:    -   -   Shape/appearance.—Round, glaborous, slightly glossy.        -   Aspect.—Rounded.        -   Color.—RHS 144A (Yellow-green).        -   Diameter.—0.3 cm.        -   Stem length (excluding inflorescence).—16.1 cm.        -   Internode length.—2.0 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.-   Leaves:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite, single.        -   Quantity of leaves (per lateral branch).—16.        -   Durability to stress.—High.        -   Shape.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Apiculate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Color (mature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 137B (Green).            Lower surface: RHS 137C (Green).        -   Color (immature leaves).—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green).            Lower surface: Between RHS 137C (Green) to RHS 138A (Green).        -   Margin.—Revolute, short, fine serrate (approx. 30 teeth per            cm).        -   Size.—Length: 7.3 cm. Width: 3.2 cm.        -   Texture (upper surface).—Smooth, glabrous.        -   Pubescence.—Absent.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: Between RHS            144B (Yellow-green) to RHS 144C (Yellow-green). Lower            surface: Between RHS 144C (Yellow-green) to RHS 144D            (Yellow-green).        -   Petiole.—Shape: V-shaped. Length: 0.20 cm. Width: 0.25 cm.            Height: 0.20 cm. Color (Both surfaces): Between RHS 144C            (Yellow-green) to RHS 145A (Yellow-green).-   Flower Buds:    -   -   Color.—RHS 157D (Green-white); lower half (immature calyx)            RHS 144A (Yellow-green); base RHS 144C (Yellow-green).        -   Shape.—Elliptic to narrow obovate.        -   Size.—Length: 2.3 cm. Diameter: 0.5 cm.        -   Rate of opening.—Open approximately 4 days.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Blooming habit.—Continuous during natural flowering season.        -   Inflorescence type.—Self-cleaning, compound terminal            panicle.        -   Natural flowering season.—Summer to late summer (July to            September).        -   Height.—9.9 cm.        -   Width.—8.9 cm.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate, sweet; typical Plox paniculata scent.        -   Flower number (per inflorescence).—40.        -   Quantity of flowers per lateral stem.—10.        -   Quantity of flower buds per lateral stem.—30.        -   Quantity of flower and buds per plant.—160.        -   Rate of flower opening.—Approximately 25% of the flowers at            any stage.        -   Flower longevity on plant.—10 days.        -   Flower longevity as a cut flower.—10 days.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Color.—Between RHS 144A (Yellow-green) to RHS 144B            (Yellow-green).        -   Length.—Primary: 6.8 cm. Secondary: 2.7 cm.        -   Diameter.—Primary: 0.2 cm. Secondary: 0.1 cm.        -   Angle.—Primary peduncles have an average angle of 0°            (straight upright), secondary peduncles have an average            angle of 35° C.        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Color.—Between RHS 144A (Yellow-green) to RHS 144B            (Yellow-green).        -   Length.—0.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.        -   Angle.—Average angle 30° (0° to 60°) (0° equals straight on            top of the peduncle).        -   Strength.—Strong.-   Florets:    -   -   Type.—Single.        -   Shape.—Salverform.        -   Aspect.—Upright and outward.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate, sweet; typical Phlox paniculata scent.        -   Size.—Height (flower depth): 2.8 cm. Diameter: 3.4 cm.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Rotate. Shape: Spathulate, the lower            60% fused into a tube. Appearance: Dull, smooth. Number: 5,            fused into a tube (lower 60% of each petal). Size: Length:            3.7 cm (lower 2.2 cm fused into a tube). Width: 2.1 cm.            Apex: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Color (when opening): Upper            surface: RHS 155C (White), base of free part RHS 157C            (Green-white), tube RHS 157D (Green-white). Lower surface:            RHS 155C (White), tube RHS 157B (Green-white). Color (fully            opened): Upper surface: Slightly whiter than RHS 155C            (White), base of free part between RHS 157C (Green-white) to            RHS 157D (Green-white), tube RHS 157D (Green-white). Lower            surface: RHS 155C (White), tube RHS 157D (Green-white).            Texture (both surfaces): Smooth.-   Calyx:    -   -   Shape.—Campanulate.        -   Length.—1.2 cm.        -   Diameter.—0.4 cm.        -   Sepals.—Arrangement: Rotate. Appearance: Smooth, dull.            Number: 5. Shape: Linear. Apex: Narrow apiculate. Base:            Lower 55% fused. Margin: Entire. Size: Length: 1.2 cm.            Width: 0.2 cm. Color (mature): Upper surface: RHS 144B            (Yellow-green); tips slightly flushed RHS 200A (Brown).            Lower surface: RHS 144B (Yellow-green); tips slightly            flushed RHS 200A (Brown). Color (immature): Upper surface:            RHS 144A (Yellow-green); base RHS 144C. Lower surface: RHS            144A (Yellow-green); base RHS 144C.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Quantity: 5. Anther: Shape: Basifixed, oblong;            filament implanted in petal. Length: 0.3 cm. Length of            filament: 0.1 cm. Color: RHS 4D (Yellow).        -   Pollen.—Amount: Moderate. Color: RHS 4C (Yellow).        -   Pistil.—Quantity: 1. Length: 1.8 cm.        -   Style.—Length: 1.7 cm. Color: RHS 150D (Yellow-green).        -   Stigma.—Shape: Cleft (3-parted). Color: Between RHS 150C            (Yellow-green) to RHS 150D (Yellow-green).        -   Ovary color.—RHS 143A (Green).-   Fruit and Seed Set: No fruit or seeds have been detected to date.-   Disease and insect resistance: No particular resistance or    susceptibility to diseases or insects noted to date.

COMPARISON WITH COMMERCIAL CULTIVARS

‘Pina Colada’ differs from the commercial Phlox paniculata variety‘David’ (unpatented), by being a more sturdy plant with healthierfoliage and thicker stems than ‘David’. Additionally, ‘Pina Colada’ hasa more compact plant habit and flowers that are more evenly distributedand richer than ‘David’.

‘Pina Colada’ differs from the commercial Phlox variety ‘GrenadineDream’ (U.S. Plant patent application No. 11/1725,797), by having purewhite flowers while ‘Grenadine Dream’ has rich red-purple flowers.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of phlox plant as shown and describedherein.